TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy

has posted the following message to the group's official Testament Legions message board:

“We just completed construction on a recording room in our new studio. Everything is set up, and it is full-steam ahead. After completing the studio and starting rehearsals with Johnny Tempesta [ex-WHITE ZOMBIE, EXODUS], we got on a roll, but it was getting tough with the distance between L.A. and the [San Francisco] Bay Area. At that point we knew we needed someone full time, and that is how Paul [Bostaph, ex-SLAYER, SYSTEMATIC] came into the picture [as first reported here yesterday — Ed.]. Paul was even Johnny's first recommendation. Johnny is still part of the family, and he knows I wish him well with HELMET. We've jammed with Paul before, and knew it would be killer if he could commit. After getting in touch with Paul, within a week he was set up, and has been rehearsing ever since. Things have been progressing quickly and amazingly. He is steamrolling through the old material and just as pumped as we are to be writing the new stuff. We have full confidence that it's gonna be KILLER! We do have shows in March and Europe in June. Our goal is to have [the new album] be recorded by the European tour in June. We have about 6 songs and [guitarist] Eric [Peterson] has a lot of great riffs that he and Paul are putting together. It feels good to have new songs, a new studio and a great vibe when we are jamming. Now that things are flowing, you'll be hearing from us more often!”

February 15. 2004